Star Trek: The Next Generation: Klingon Empire: A Burning House

This is an excellent installment to the I.K.S. Gorkon series, its a little bit softer then he other books, showing a more in depth look at how klingons behave when there not trying to kill you. It had tons of information but managed to keep me enthralled with an inticing plot. I would recommend this book to any trekkie.

This recent book is a follow-up of sorts or an addition to I.K.S. Gorkon series of books: A Good Day To Die (2003), Honor Bound (2003), and Enemy Territory (2005) by the same author. Most would know that, but some may not. Early STAR TREK: maybe producers felt these strange, rough, people just kept "clinging on" so the Klingons became permanent residents. Their dress and portrayal was very much uncertain in most early STAR TREK shows, with the Klingons looking much different, especially in costume, than now. But with this book, we are afforded as never before, a chance to meet and view these vibrant people up close as never before. We see them collectively and individually, and not broken down into the aristocratic houses as usual, no, we see both the aristocrats who are officers in the defense force and those less elevated, the common folk as well. Or to paraphrase the book, both the "echelons of power" and the "lowest castes". We also get a chance to view their cities, with an eye on their architecture, while receiving a history lesson at the same time. One example, "most Klingon cities were built around a system of roads that could accomodate pedestrians and people astride a mount", we also see that some of their buildings while monumental, can also be small, and box like. When viewing the various people of this book we are allowed a view of not only the military and political, but also the farmers with their smaller communities, learning also that many Vulcans live here as well. We see the Klingons and hear them in a more personal way than ever before: while the Klingons may value honor highly, wishing to die well, they also can love and laugh just as any other group of people. And as the book relates, though the Houses yet battle with one another, it is much tamer than in the past. The Klingons have always been one of my favorites, and anyone else enjoying these Klingons as a race, or as individuals in their customs and beliefs, will need peruse this latest book on them. True in some spots the book meanders abit slowly, but at the same time, I have not enjoyed a STAR TREK book as much in a long time. Included in this book is glossary of Klingon words and expressions as used by the author throughout his book, this not only adds 'fun' to the reading experience but also helps one understand the less than understandable present in the Klingon dialect. Best in reading, and Qapla! Semper Fi.

I have always in the past viewed Klingons as ruthless, and extremely violent to such an extent that the violence is all-encompassing. Well, I have to say that I have changed my mind, as Keith DeCandido has written an excellent account of many of the crew members of the I.K.S. Gorkon as their ship is in orbit around the Klingon homeworld of Qo'noS undergoing repairs. These crew members, on leave, travel to various places and their activites really highlight Klingon society as a rational and compassionate civilization. Some are unpretentious farmers, some are higher ranking Klingon warriors, and some from the lowest ranks, all have great stories to share on leave. I have to admit that when I bought this novel I did not realize that this is the fifth tale of the I.K.S. Gorkon, the first four were DIPLOMATIC IMPLAUSABILITY, A GOOD DAY TO DIE, HONOR BOUND, and ENEMY TERRITORY. I must find time to read them all!

KRAD has truly created the Klingon Culture. This is the most realistic Klingon story ever in book or TV form. The book is about the crew of the I.K.S Gorkon while on Leave on Qronos. the book fineshes some of the story lines while creating new ones. The storys in the book are great from Klag, Toq, Rodek and Wol plus more with apperance from Worf and Martok. If you love Klingons you need to get this book.

While others may have originated the Klingons and have written about them Keith's Klingon novels give a heart and soul to their culture. In his novels the characters come alive. No longer are they just sterotypes as has been the case in many of the Star Trek TV episodes. This book follows the crew of the Gorkon while on leave as their ship is repaired. This particular story is a character driven work that gives us more insite into our players and the workings of Klingon society. This is one of those stories you start reading and dont want to put down until you are finished. You really care about what happens to the characters as the story unfolds. What will become of Rodek? Will Worf once again find love? Will Klingon medicine really improve? Buy this book! Read it! Encourage others to do the same, they will not be disappointed.